Wheeled vehicles having a ladder assembly



July 10, 1962 R. G BAKULA WHEELED VEHICLES HAVING A LADDER ASSEMBLY 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1959 INVENTOR. ROBERT G. BAKULA ATTORNEYJuly 10, 1962 R. G. BAKULA 3,043,398

WHEELED VEHICLES HAVING A LADDER ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 15, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT G. BAKULA ATTORN EY FIG.7

I l HQ! 1 L ll wwmx July 10, 1962 R. G. BAKULA 3,

WHEELED VEHICLES HAVING A LADDER ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 15, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ROBERT G. BAKULA ATTORNEY finned rates Fatent G3,043,398 WHEELER VEHICLES HAVING A LADDER ASSEMBLY Robert G. Balmla,Hartley Hills, Mo., assignor to McCabe- Powers Body Company, St. Louis,Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Oct. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 846,614

7 Claims. (Cl. 182-127) This invention relates to mobile extensionladders, and, more particularly, to an extension ladder adapted to bemounted on a vehicle or similar mobile platform.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a mobileextension ladder which can be readily shifted from a transport positionto an operative position with minimum effort.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mobile ladderof the type stated which may be readily extended to various heights whenin operative position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mobileladder of the type stated which is partially selferecting and which isuniquely braced for strength and safety when in operative position.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a mobileladder of the type stated which is supported entirely from a wheeledvehicle or other similar mobile platform.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in thenovel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of amotor vehicle or truck equipped with a mobile extension ladderconstructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the truck of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional viewta-ken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 38 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1t 1t) of FIG.2;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.1;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1313 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1414 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the truck showing themobile extension ladder in the elevated and extended position; b

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the meansfor locking the tubular support-brace in operative position;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1717 of FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1818 of FIG. 2;and

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG.2.

I senses Patented July 10, 192

ice

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, A designates a wheeled vehicle including a cab portion 1, anda body 2, supported upon a chassis 3. The body 2 includes a rear-step 4and is provided at its four corners with upwardly extending verticalposts 5, 6, 7, and 8, which are respectively reinforced by angularbraces 9, 110, 1 1, and 12. Bolted at its ends to, and extendinghorizontally between, posts 5 and 6 is a solid rod 13, and, similarlybolted at its ends to an extending horizontally between the posts 7 and8 is a solid rod 14. Welded to opposite ends of the rod 13 are gussetplates 15, 15' integrally provided with laterally projecting flanges 16,16' respectively, which are, in turn, bolted to the upper ends of theposts 5, 6, thereby reinforcing the structural connection between therod 13 and the posts 5, 6, and, also preventing rotation from the rod 13with respect to the posts 5, 6. Similarly welded to the opposite ends ofthe rod 14 are gusset plates 17, 17', having integral flanges 18, 18,respectively, which are bolted to the upper ends of the posts 7, =8, andserve substantially the same purpose as the gusset plates 15, 15'.

Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the rod 14 intermediate the posts7, 8, is a pair of axially spaced sleeves 19. Also welded to the rod 14,in sidewise abutment with and inwardly of each of the sleeves '19, is ahollow U-shaped channel 20. Rockably mounted on the rod 14 in endwiseabutment against the outer end faces of the sleeves 19 are U-shapedbearing members 21 having lateral flanges 22, 23, which are bolted tolower flanges 24 of U-shaped channel frames 25. Each of the channelframes 25 also integrally includes a vertical web 26 and an upper flange27 which is parallel to the lower flange 24. The channel frames 25 are,moreover, aligned with each other transversely along the rod 14 and faceinwardly toward each other, being cross-connected by a rod 28. Since thechannel frames 25 are thus connected to each other, the two sleeves 19prevent axial shifting thereof along the rod 14, and, furthermore, thechannel frames 25 are constrained to rock as a unit around the rod 14.Coiled about each of the sleeves 19 is a cylindrical spring 29, one endof which extends axially into the adjacent U-shaped channel 20. Theother end of each spring 29 is radially elongated in the formation of abiasing arm 30 which is hooked under the rod 28, as best seen in FIG. 5.

Similarly welded to the rod 13 is a pair of axially spaced sleeves 31each having an outwardly projecting U-shaped channel 32. Coiled abouteach of the sleeves 31 is a cylindrical spring 33, one end of whichextends axially into the adjacent U-shaped channel 32. The other end ofeach spring 33 is radially elongated in the formation of a biasing arm34 which is bent laterally at its outer end in the provision of anoffset section 35, the outer end of which is bent upwardly in theprovision of a hooklike terminal portion 36.

Rigidly secured to the rod 13 intermediate the sleeves 31 and the posts5, 6, is a pair of lateral stops 37. Rockab-ly mounted upon the rod 13between the stops 37 and the sleeves 31 is a pair of U-shaped clips 38,each having a pair of lateral flanges 39 which are bolted to theunderside of tubular brace members 40. The tubular brace members 40normally extend rearwardly beyond the posts 7, 8 and are resilientlyhooked beneath downwardly opening U-shaped retainer clips 41 which arewelded to the outwardly presented faces of the webs 26 of the channelframes 25, all as best seen in FIG. 3 and for purposes presently morefully appearing.

The brace members 40 are provided at their forward ends withtightfitting internal tubular liners 42 of substantial length whichserve to give the brace members 40 additional strength where they arebolted to the u shaped clips 38. At their rearward ends, the bracemembers 40 69 are provided with second internally disposed tubularmembers 43 which extend diametrically therethrough in substantiallyperpendicular relationship to the axis thereof. Also attached to therearward end of the brace members 40, by means of chains 44, are headedpins 45, each having a rod-like body 46 sized for insertion into tubularmembers 43. The brace members 49 are hooked over the offset section 35of the spring 33 and are, thereby, biased upwardly.

Welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the top of the rod 13, andextending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, isa pair of upwardly formedbrackets 47 having vertical flanges 48 and vertical reinforcing plates49, the latter being provided with angularly positioned margins 50.

Welded in and carried by the U-shaped channel frames 25 is a pair ofcomplementary elongated U-shaped channels 51 each having flared ends 52and 53. Each channel 51 integrally includes a web-section 54, an upperflange 55 and a lower flange 56. The flanges 55 and 56 are bent backflatwise along their margins so that the flanges 55, 56, are of doublethickness for approximately the outer half of their width. The channelsextend forwardly and, when in transport position, rest in the brackets47 between the flanges 48, as "best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6.

Welded to the underfaces of the flanges 56 of the channels 51, adjacentto and extending horizontally between the flared ends 52 thereof is across-channel 57 which is also butt-welded at its transverse ends toupright outwardly-facing channel-sections 58, the latter extendingacross the outer faces of the web sections 54 of the channels51 andbeing also tack-welded thereto. The flanges 56 and the cross-channel 57,in the area of mutual overlap, are cut out to form rectangular apertures59, and, the cross-channel 57 is provided with pairs of spaced paralleldepending ears 60, 61, located along opposite longitudinal margins ofeach apertures 59 for supporting horizontal bolts '62 which function asaxles for rubber roller-wheels 63, the latter being of suflicientoutside diametral size to extend freely upwardly through the apertures59. Also disposed within the channels 51, adjacent the flared ends 56thereof, are guide plates 64 having angular flanges 65 integrallyconnected by a flat web-section 66, the flanges being welded along theirvertical margins to the websection 54 of the channels 51 and being ofsuch dimension as to hold the web-section in outwardly spaced parallelrelation to the inner face of the web-section 54.

Similarly welded to the underfaces of the flanges 56 of the channels 51,approximately midway between the flared ends 52, 53, is a cross-channel67 which is also buttwelded at its transverse ends to uprightoutwardly-facing channel-sections 68, the latter extending across theouter faces of the web-sections 54 of the channels 51 and being alsotack-welded thereto. The flanges 56 and the crosschannel 67, in the areaof mutual overlap are cut out to form rectangular apertures 69, and thecross-channel 67 is provided with pairs of spaced parallel dependingears 70, 71, located along opposite longitudinal margins of eachaperture 69 for supporting horizontal bolts 72 which function as axlesfor rubber roller-wheels 73, the latter being of sufficient outsidediametral size to extend freely upwardly through the apertures 69.

Similarly welded to the underfaces of the flanges 56 of the channels 51adjacent the flared end 53 is a crosschannel 74. The flanges 56 and thecross-channel 74, in the area of mutual overlap, are cut out to formrectangular apertures 75, substantially similar in size and shape to theapertures 59, and the cross-channel 74 is provided with pairs of spacedparallel depending ears 76, 77, located along opposite longitudinalmargins of each aperture 75 for supporting horizontal bolts 78 whichfunction as axles for rubber roller-wheels 79 of substantially the samesize as the roller-wheels 63.

Similarly welded to the underfaces of the flanges 56 and extendinghorizontally beneath the channels 51, approximately midway between thecross-channel 57 and the cross-channel 74, is a cross-channel 86 whichis buttwelded at its transverse ends to upright outwardly-facingchannel-sections 81 extending across the outer faces of the web-sections54 and being tack-welded thereto. Welded within the channel-sections 81and projecting outwardly therefrom are cars 82 having apertures '83.Also welded to the outer faces of the web-sections 54, adjacent to thechannel-sections 81, are angularly disposed spacer-rods 84 which aresomewhat greater in diametral size than the flange-width of thechannel-sections 81 and welded to the underfaces of the flanges 56adjacent to the lower ends of the spacer rods 84 are L-shapedguide-members 85 having leg-elements 86 which are disposed in outwardlyspaced parallel relation to the web-sections 54 and terminating adjacentto the ears as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. It will be noted in thisconnection that the brace members 40 are slidably guided between theguide-members and the spacer-rods 84 so as to clear the channelsections58, 68, and 81.

Slidably disposed within and extending between the complementarychannels 51 is an extension ladder L having rails 87 which arecross-connected by rungs 88 and are edgewise supported by the wheels 63,73,75, within the channels 51. Shiftably mounted upon the rails 87 is anextensible ladder section S having rails 89 crossconnected by rungs 90.Rockably pivoted upon the inner faces of the rails 89 adjacent the lowerends thereof are conventional extension-ladder catch-hooks 9-1 which areadapted for optional engagement with any one of the rungs 88 of thelower ladder section, as best seen in FIG. 18. Rig-idly secured to theunderfaces of the rails 87 adjacent to the rearward ends thereof areplates 92 each having a rearwardly and downwardly presented hook portion93 welded thereto for purposes presently more fully V appearing and asbest seen in FIG. 18.

Welded to the lower ends of the posts 7, 8, and projecting rearwardlytherefrom are plates 94 which are crossconnected by a horizontal rod 95held in outwardly spaced relation to the rear end of the chassis 3.

Clamped around the brace 14 intermediate the sleeves 31 is a bracket 96including a horizontal leg 97, a vertical leg 98 and a reversely benttab 99. The leg 97 and tab 99 are provided with vertically alignedapertures .100, 161, respectively, for slidably receiving an elongatedrod-like member 102 provided at its lower end with a knob 163 and on itsupper end with a semi-circular hook 104 encased within a resilientcushioning sleeve 105. Coiled around the depending end of the rod-likemember 102 and interposed between the leg 97 and the knob 103 is aspring 106. Thus, when the ladder L is in transport position, as shownin FIG. 1, the knob 103 may be manually pushed upwardly so that the hook104 will engage one of the ladder rungs and thus hold the entire ladderL against shifting within the channels 51 during transit. When it isdesired that the ladder L be swung into upright or operative position,it is merely necessary to push the knob 1% upwardly to release the hook104 and shift the lower end of the ladder L rearwardly in the channels51 to clear the hook-engaged rung 90. The knob 103 is then released andthe spring 106 will push the rod-like member 102 and the hook 104downwardly out of the way.

It should be noted that, when the ladder L is in transport position, asshown in FIG. 1, the weight and center of gravity thereof is such thatthe upward swing bias of the springs 29, 33, is overcome or overbalancedand the ladder L will not swing into upright position when the hook 164is released.

The ladder L is erected in the following manner: the hook 164 is disenaged as above-described and the brace members 40 are pushed downwardlyand outwardly to release them from engagement with the retainer clipsThereupon, the ladder L is manually shifted rearwardly until a portionof its weight overhangs to the rear of rod 14 and becomes a downwardcomponent of force which is additive to the bias of the springs 29, 33.The ladder then can be swung upwardly to the operative position shown inFIG. 15 with a very little or, in fact, almost no manual effort. As theladder L reaches fully erect position, the lower end is hooked over therod 95 as shown in FIG. 18. At the same time, the brace members swingupwardly to the position shown in FIG. 15 and come into abutment withthe ears 82 when the springs in the tubular members 43 are in alignmentwith the apertures 83. It will be noted in this connection that the ears82 are positioned at an angle with respect to the channel-sections 8 1so as to abut flatwise against the brace-members 40 when the latter arein erected position.

The operator may then climb the ladder L and place headed pins 107through the aperture 83 in ears 82 whereby the brace-members 40 becomelocked to the channels 51. Thereupon, the extensible'ladder sections maybe shifted upwardly to any desired position in the conventional manner.

The ladder L is lowered and placed in the transport position byreversing the above-described sequence of steps.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form,construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of thewheeled vehicles having a ladder assembly may be made and substitutedfor those herein shown and described without departing from the natureand principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said first cross-brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above said vehicle, first spring meansoperatively mounted on said first cros s-brace for urging the rearmostends of said channels downwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted tosaid vehicle and extending upwardly therefrom, said forward supportincluding a second fixed horizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair ofdiagonal braces pivotally mounted on said second cross-brace andextending rearwardly therefrom, said diagonal braces comprisingcylindrical tubes having diametrally aligned apertures substantiallynear the rearmost ends, second spring means operatively mounted on saidsecond cross-brace for urging the rear ends of said diagonal bracesupwardly, guide means fixedly mounted on said complementary channels forguiding said diagonal braces as said channels are pivoted about saidfirst cross-brace, said guide means including a solid block having anaperture and a rod-like element attached to the bottom of said channelsand extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom to a point where itsubstantially encloses said diagonal brace between said channel, saidblock, and said rod-like element, locking means for holding said guidemeans in locked engagement with said diagonal brace when said channelsare in the elevated position, a plurality of wheels operatively mountedwithin each of said complementary channels, an extension ladder disposedbetween said channels and movably seated on said wheels, means forholding said ladder in relatively stable position with respect to saidchannels, a bracket attached to said vehicle and extending rearwardlytherefrom, said bracket including a horizontal stud, and a secondbracket attached to said ladder and sized and located thereon for 6engagement with said stud when said channels are in the elevatedposition whereby to retain said ladder in the elevated position.

2. A device of the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary chan nelspivotally mounted about said first cross-brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above.

said vehicle, first spring means operatively mounted on said firstcross-brace for urging the rearmost ends of said channels downwardly, aforward support fixedly mounted to said vehicle and extending upwardlytherefrom, said forward support including a second fixed horizontallydisposed cross-brace, a pair of diagonal braces pivotally mounted onsaid second cross-brace and extending rearwardly therefrom, saiddiagonal braces comprising cylindrical tubes having diametrally alignedapertures substantially near the rearmost ends, second spring meansoperatively mounted on said second cross-brace for urging the rear endsof said diagonal braces upwardly, guide means fixedly mounted on saidcomplementary channels for guiding said diagonal braces as said channelsare pivoted about said first cross-brace, said guide means including asolid block having an aperture and a rod-like element attached to thebottom of said channels and extending outwardly and forwardly therefromto a point where it substantially'encloses said diagonal brace betweensaid channel, said block, and said rod-like element, said block beingpositioned on said channel in such manner that when said channels are inthe extended position said diagonal brace is in flatwise abutment withsaid block and the apertures-in said block and said brace are insubstantial alignment, pin means for insertion through said alignedapertures when said channels are in the elevated position, a pluralityof wheels operatively mounted within each of said complementarychannels, an extension laidder disposed between said channels andmovably seated on said wheels, means for holding said ladder inrelatively stable position with respect to said channels, a bracketattached to said vehicle and extending rearwardly therefrom, saidbracket including a horizontal stud, and a second bracket attached tosaid ladder and sized and located thereon for engagement with said studwhen said channels are in the elevated position, whereby to retain saidladder in the elevated position.

3. A device of the class described for mounting to a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said cross-brace and extending forwardly andreanwardly therefrom above said vehicle, first spring means operativelymounted on said first cross-brace for urging the rearmost ends of saidchannels downwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted to said vehicleand extending upwardly therefrom, said forward support including asecond fixed horizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of diagonalbraces'pivotally mounted on said second cross-brace and extendingrearwardly therefrom, said diagonal braces comprising cylindrical tubeshaving diametrally aligned apertures substantially near the rearmostends, second spring means operatively mounted on said second cross-bracefor urging the rear ends of said diagonal braces upwardly, guide meansfixedly mounted on said complementary channels for guiding said diagonalbraces as said chan nels are pivoted about said first cross-brace, saidguide means including a solid block having an aperture and a rod-likeelement attached to the bottom of said channels and extending outwardlyand forwardly therefrom to a point where it substantially encloses saiddiagonal brace between said channel, said block, and said rod-likeelement, locking means for holding said guide means in locked engagementwith said diagonal brace when said channels are in the elevatedposition, a plurality of wheels operatively mounted within each of saidcomplementary channels, an extension ladder disposed between saidchannels and movably seated on said wheels, means for holding saidladder in relatively stable position with respect to said channels, saidmeans including a stop operatively mounted to said first cross-brace andextending upwardly therefrom between the rungs of said ladder, means forlowering said stop with respect to said ladder when the ladder is to bemoved, a bracket attached to said vehicles and extending rearwardlytherefrom, said bracket including a horizontal stud, and a secondbracket attached to said ladder and sized and located thereon forengagement with said stud when said channels are in the elevatedposition, whereby to retain said ladder in the elevated position.

4. A device of the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said first cross-brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above said vehicle, a sleeve member mounted oneach end of said first cross-brace, a hollow U-shaped element mounted onsaid first cross-brace inwardly of and in sidewise abutment with thesleeve, flange members rockably mounted on said first cross-brace inendwise abutment with and on the outer end of each of said sleevemembers, a rod cross connecting each of said flanges, coiled springsmounted on each of said sleeves, each of said springs having one endextend into said U-shaped channel and the other end hooked under saidrod for urging the rearmost ends of said complementary channelsdownwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said forward support including a secondfixed horizontally disposed crossbrace, a pair of diagonal bracespivotally mounted on said second cross-brace and extending rearwardlytherefrom, second spring means operatively mounted on said secondcross-brace for urging the rear ends of said diagonal braces upwardly,guide means fixedly mounted on said complementary channels for guidingsaid diagonal braces as said channels are pivoted about said firstcross-brace, locking means for holding said guide means in lockedengagement with said diagonal brace when said channels are in theelevated position, a plurality of wheels operatively mounted within eachof said complementary channels, an extension ladder disposed betweensaid channels and movably seated on said wheels, means for holding saidladder in relatively stable position with respect to said channels, abracket attached to said vehicle and extending rearwardly therefrom,said bracket including a horizontal rod, and a second bracket attachedto said ladder and sized and located thereon for engagement with saidrod when said channels are in the elevated position, whereby to retainsaid ladder in the elevated position.

5. A device of the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said first cross-brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above said vehicle, a sleeve member mounted oneach end of said first cross-brace, a hollow U-shaped element mounted onsaid first cross-brace inwardly of and in sidewise abutment with thesleeve, flange members rockably mounted on said first cross-brace inendwise abutment with and on the outer end of each of said sleevemembers, a rod cross connecting each of said flanges, coiled springsmounted on each of said sleeves, each of said springs having one endextend into said Ll-shaped channel and the other end hooked under saidrod for urging the rearmost ends of said complementary channelsdownwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said forward support including a secondfixed horizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of diagonal bracespivotally mounted on said second cross-brace and extending rearwardlytherefrom, spaced sleeves mounted on said second cross-brace, each ofsaid sleeves having U-shaped channels associated therewith, coiledsprings mounted on each of said sleeves for urging the rear ends of saiddiagnal braces upwardly, guide means fixedly mounted on saidcomplementary channels for guiding said diagonal braces as said channelsare pivoted about said first cross-brace, locking means for holding saidguide'means in locked engagement with said diagonal brace when saidchannels are in the elevated position, a plurality of wheels operativelymounted within each of said complementary channels, an extension ladderdisposed between said channels and movably seated on said wheels, meansfor holding said ladder in relatively stable position with respect tosaid channels, a bracket attached to said vehicle and extendingrearwardly therefrom, said bracket including a horizontal rod, and asecond bracket attached to said ladder and sized and located thereon forengagement with said rod when said channels are in the elevatedposition, whereby to retain said ladder in the elevated position.

6. A device of-the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said first cross brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above said Vehicle, a sleeve member mounted oneach end of said first cross-brace, a hollow U-shaped element mounted onsaid first cross-brace inwardly of and in sidewise abutv ment with thesleeve, flange members rockably mounted on said first cross-brace inendwise abutment with and on the outer end of each of said sleevemembers, a rod cross connecting each of said flanges, coiled springsmounted on each of said sleeves, each of said springs having one endextend into said U-shaped channel and the other end hooked under saidrod for urging the rearrnost ends of said complementary channelsdownwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said forward support including a secondfixed horizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of diagonal bracespivo-tally mounted on said second cross-brace and extending rearwardlytherefrom, said diagonal braces comprising cylindrical tubes havingdiametrally aligned apertures substantiall near the rearmost ends,spaced sleeves mounted on said second crossbrace, each of said sleeveshaving U-shaped channels associated therewith, coiled springs mounted onea h of said sleeves for urging the rear ends of said diagonal bracesupwardly, guide means fixedly mounted on said complementary channels forguiding said diagonal braces as said channels are pivoted about saidfirst cross brace, locking means for holding said guide means in lockedengagernent with said diagonal brace when said channels are in theelevated position, a plurality of wheels operatively mounted within eachof said complementary channels, an extension ladder disposed betweensaid channels and movably seated on said wheels, means for holding saidladder in relatively stable position with respect to said channels, abracket attached to said vehicle and extending rearwardly therefrom,said bracket including a horizontal rod, and a second bracket attachedto said ladder and sized and located thereon for engagement with saidrod when said channels are in the elevated position, whereby to retainsaid ladder in the elevated position.

7. A device of the class described for mounting on a vehicle, saiddevice comprising a rear support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said rear support including a first fixedhorizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of complementary channelspivotally mounted about said first cross-brace and extending forwardlyand rearwardly therefrom above said vehicle, a sleeve member mounted oneach end of said first cross-brace, a hollow U-shaped element mounted onsaid first cross-brace inwardly of and in sidewise abutment with thesleeve, flange members rockably mounted on said first cross brace inendwise abutment with and on the outer end of each of said sleevemembers, a rod cross connecting each of said flanges, coiled springsmounted on each of said sleeves, each of said springs having one endextend into said U-shaped channel and the other end hooked under saidrod for urging the rearmost ends of said complementary channelsdownwardly, a forward support fixedly mounted to said vehicle andextending upwardly therefrom, said forward support including a secondfixed horizontally disposed cross-brace, a pair of diagonal bracespivotally mounted on said second cross-brace and extending rearwardlytherefrom, said diagonal braces comprising cylindrical tubes havingdiametrally aligned apertures substantially near the rearmost ends,spaced sleeves mounted on said second cross brace, each of said sleeveshaving U-shaped channels associated therewith, coiled springs mounted oneach of said sleeves for urging the rear ends of said diagonal bracesupwardly, guide means fixedly mounted on said complementary channels forguiding said diagonal braces as said channels are pivoted about saidfirst crossbrace, said guide means including a solid block having anaperture and a rod-like element attached to the bottom of said channelsand extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom to a point where itsubstantially encloses said diagonal brace between said channel, saidblock, and said rod-like element, said block being positioned on saidchannel in such manner that when said channels are in the extendedposition said diagonal brace is in fiatwise abutment with said block andthe apertures in said block and said brace are in substantial alignment,pin means for insertion through said aligned apertures when saidchannels are in the elevated position, a plurality of wheels operativelymounted within each of said complementary channels, an extension ladderdisposed between said channels and movably seated on said wheels, meansfor holding said ladder in relatively stable position with respect tosaid channels, a bracket attached to said vehicle and extendingrearwardly therefrom, said bracket including a horizontal stud, and asecond bracket attached to said ladder and sized and located thereon forengagement with said stud when said channels are in the elevatedposition, whereby to retain said ladder in the elevated position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS504,008 Webster Aug. 29, 1893 1,826,893 Larsen Oct. 13, 1931 1,952,761Larsen Mar. 27, 1934 2,551,036 Mills May 1, 1951 2,586,531 Gordon Feb.19, 1952 2,720,354 Stanley Oct. 11, 1955 2,964,122 Funk Dec. 13, 1960

